Atrocity Prevention Study Group

The Atrocity Prevention Study Group (APSG) is an innovative forum for policymakers and practitioners to discuss both practical and theoretical aspects of atrocity prevention on an unclassified, non-partisan, non-attributable basis. The APSG connects stakeholders inside and outside of U.S. government with scholars and experts to share resources and knowledge on atrocity prevention and identify challenges, good practices, lessons learned, and policy options. It is a one-of-a-kind forum held monthly to keep stakeholders up-to-date with the latest atrocity prevention scholarship, deepen understanding of potential atrocity situations, and offer resources for decision-making.

For more information on the APSG, please contact Jim Finkel at [email protected]

Project Team

Jim Finkel

Lisa Sharland

Project Note

Country Research Project on Atrocity Prevention

APSG seeks proposals from atrocity prevention researchers and practitioners on new, policy-relevant research for a single country case study where there is an emerging risk of mass violence and atrocities to civilians

Events

Past
Event

AI-Powered Early Warning Models

Past
Event

Challenges to Pursuing a Policy of Prevention

Past
Event

Whither Atrocity Prevention at the UN? Look Beyond R2P and the Security Council

Past
Event

Social Media Mis-/Disinformation and the Risk of Atrocities in the United States

Research & Writing

Project Note

Looking Back at APSG Throughout 2023

Reflecting on another successful year of strengthening both U.S. and global atrocity prevention efforts through research and engagement

Ryan Fletcher

February 26, 2024

Issue Brief

Whither Atrocity Prevention at the UN? Look Beyond R2P and the Security Council

U.N. bodies outside the Security Council have continued to make substantive — if overlooked — contributions to atrocity prevention objectives

Federica D’Alessandra • Gwendolyn Whidden

November 6, 2023

Issue Brief

Social Media Mis-/Disinformation and the Risk of Atrocities in the United States

Exploring opportunities to enhance atrocity prevention and early warning through improved tracking and understanding of online false narratives

Roudabeh Kishi

October 4, 2023

Project Note

Country Research Project on Atrocity Prevention

April 17, 2023

Project Note

Contemporary Challenges and New Ideas in Atrocity Prevention Research

December 14, 2022

Issue Brief

Preventing Atrocities Among Pastoral Communities Through Disarmament

Approaches to atrocity prevention in the Horn of Africa should integrate kinship social networks into disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration programs

Francis Onditi

September 29, 2022

Issue Brief

From Network Analysis to Creative Leverage: Mapping new horizons of modern atrocity prevention

Mapping and tracking networks provide new opportunities for the atrocity prevention practice

Kate Ferguson

September 29, 2022

Issue Brief

Technological Change and the UN Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes

Developments in new and emerging technologies present key reasons to revise the UN Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes.

Federica D’Alessandra • Ross James Gildea

July 25, 2022

Issue Brief

Social Media Misinformation and the Prevention of Political Instability and Mass Atrocities

Atrocity prevention stakeholders face profound challenges from the quantity, speed, and increasing sophistication of online misinformation

Kristina Hook • Ernesto Verdeja

July 7, 2022

Issue Brief

Climate Stress and Civilian Targeting in the Sahel: Between Violence and Opportunity

This report assesses the potential relationship between climate and environmental security and violence against civilians by different actors

Britt Koehnlein • Ore Koren

June 28, 2022

Issue Brief

Disinformation and Democratic Transition: A Kenyan Case Study

Technological developments have strengthened atrocity prevention efforts; however, these technologies can also be harnessed to exploit vulnerabilities and grievances during election periods

Gillian McKay

June 22, 2022

Report

An Assessment of the Risk of Mass Atrocities in Uganda

Effective tools for violence and atrocity prevention already exist within communities and can be used to reduce conflict in mid-risk countries like Uganda.

Emily Sample • Lina Zedriga Waru Abuku